Maximising The Life Of Your Shipping Container
Tuesday 6 August 2024
Updated: Wednesday 7 August 2024
Filed in: General
We often get asked the important question - "how long does a shipping container last?". This is a tricky one to give a definitive answer to, as there are so many variables involved, but we can give guidance on how to maximise the life of your shipping container. As with most things in life, careful use and proper maintenance prolongs the condition and life span.
Life span of a shipping container
Before buying a shipping container it's important to consider how long you need it to last. If you're happy to invest more money into a new container in exchange for an extended life span, you could get over 30 years of trouble-free use out of it. They are imported to the UK with just one overseas journey and port handling, so technically they're considered once-used, but will have skipped the 10- 15 years of harsh conditions at sea that used containers have been subjected to. After they are retired from sea they are sold off to the storage and conversions market, where they will be much cheaper to buy but are already in the process of deterioration.With the correct care and maintenance you could still get another 10 - 15 yrs use. Whether you buy new and used, proper care and maintenance is a must in making your shipping container last.
Essential care, checks and maintenance
Before your shipping container is delivered you can put the first step of container care into place - make sure the ground on top of which your container will sit is hard standing and level. If not the container will sink into the ground and twist slightly as this happens unevenly, causing the doors to "rack out" and malfunction. Read our blog Preparing the Ground for Your Container for ways to prevent this.Other general advice for storage containers is not to overload and exceed the maximum weight capacity as this can cause structural damage. You can check the recommended weight for your container size using this Dimensions Chart.
Once your container has been delivered and loaded, we recommend using this four point check list regularly to spot small issues before they become big ones:
- Inspect door hinges and seals - clean and lubricate regularly to prevent rusting and the doors seizing up. Check the rubber seals and replace if necessary to prevent water getting into you container.
- Check for debris on the roof - clear and clean to keep the water from pooling on the roof, check for any leaks that need sealing, and remember - keep weight off the roof to prevent structural damage.
- Remove rust - a normal amount of surface rust is not a problem but any big patches should be removed and treated. Any holes that have appeared can be repaired with a steel patch that is fully welded and sealed
- Repaint as needed - high-quality, marine-grade paint adds an extra layer of protection against the elements
Upgrade your container with optional extras
There are some issues that cause container deterioration over time that can be avoided with pre-emptive treatment. One of the biggest enemies of shipping containers is condensation! By choosing to have you container ply lined and insulated, the damaging effects of moisture trapped inside a metal box are eliminated. Other extras we offer when you buy from Containers Direct that will help prolong the life of your shipping container include a full repaint (which also improves the cosmetic appearance), Grafotherm internal spray that slows down condensation and vents to maximise air flow inside the container. Take a look at our full range of optional extras to customise your container to your specific requirements.
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